The exhibition “Our Compatriots in the Belgian Resistance”, prepared by Professor Vladimir Ronin in cooperation with the Russian House in Brussels, was presented as part of the round table “Russia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg: Shared Memory of the Fight Against Fascism”, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

The exhibition consists of 12 photo-documentary panels and tells the stories of our compatriots — people from Russia and former Soviet republics who became members of the anti-fascist underground and partisan movement in Belgium. Through personal stories, archival materials, rare photographs, and eyewitness accounts, the exhibition highlights individuals whose struggle and dedication became part of the collective victory over fascism.

Even decades after those tragic years, the memory of World War II remains alive. Despite thousands of studies and publications, new names and facts continue to emerge. Thanks to the efforts of historians, local researchers, and family archivists, we continue to uncover the names of heroes whose deeds remained long unknown. Family archives, forgotten graves, and chance discoveries all shed new light on events once thought to be fully studied.

Many of the heroes featured in the exhibition were interned or taken for forced labor, but despite harsh conditions, they found the strength to join the Resistance. Their actions are a testament to resilience, solidarity, and loyalty to the ideals of freedom and justice. Particular attention is drawn to the panels dedicated to underground fighters who operated in Belgium against the German occupation forces and military authorities.

The exhibition generated a strong response from round table participants, bringing together historians, researchers, enthusiasts, and descendants of the heroes. It served as a powerful visual complement to discussions focused on preserving historical memory, fostering humanitarian cooperation, and exploring lesser-known pages of the shared history of European and Russian peoples in the fight against Nazism.

The exhibition is presented in Russian (translations into French and Dutch are in preparation). It will be open for viewing at the Russian House in Brussels until 4th of June 2025. It is also available online on the website of the Russian House.